Committee formed to buy basic foodstuffs

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Aswat: The Iraqi cabinet’s secretariat on Wednesday decided to set up a higher committee to make contracts for the purchase of basic foodstuffs, including wheat, rice, sugar, milk, and cooking oil. “The committee will include members from the ministries of finance, planning, development cooperation, transport and trade, as well as the cabinet’s secretariat, the economic affairs committee, and the Iraqi Trade Bank,” according to a statement released by the secretary and received by IraqiNews.com news agency. The committee will have absolute discretion to sign contracts and to purchase foodstuffs in accordance with the agreed mechanisms, the statement added. SS (P)/SR 1